The undefeated Indiana Hoosiers delivered a statement of dominance on January 9, 2026, dismantling the Oregon Ducks 56-22 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta.

This resounding victory not only secured the Hoosiers’ spot in the national championship game but also solidified their status as the clear number one seed and the team to beat in the quest for a historic title.

With the win, Indiana improved to 15-0 on the season and positioned themselves on the brink of entering the conversation as one of the greatest teams in college football history—if they can cap their remarkable journey with a victory over No. 10 Miami in the championship on January 19.

From the opening snap, the Hoosiers made it clear that this would not be a repeat of their closer regular-season encounter with Oregon, which Indiana won 30-20 in Eugene back in October.

On the very first play from scrimmage, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore attempted a pass that was jumped by Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, who returned the interception for a touchdown. The pick-six set the tone for a night of relentless pressure, turnovers, and offensive fireworks from the Hoosiers.

Indiana’s defense forced three first-half turnovers, each leading to points, and built a commanding 35-7 halftime lead that left little doubt about the outcome.

At the center of Indiana’s offensive explosion was Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who delivered a masterclass in efficiency. The Miami native completed 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and an astounding five touchdowns, spreading the ball to multiple receivers with precision and poise.

His performance continued a postseason trend of near-perfection: across two CFP games, Mendoza has thrown eight touchdowns with just six incompletions. Running backs like Kaelon Black added to the scoring barrage, capping drives with powerful runs, including a 23-yard touchdown late in the game that pushed the lead to 56-15.

The Hoosiers’ balanced attack overwhelmed Oregon’s defense, which struggled to contain Indiana’s speed, scheme variety, and physicality.

Oregon, entering the matchup at 13-2 and fresh off a 23-0 shutout of Texas Tech in the quarterfinals, simply had no answers. Moore finished 24-of-39 for 285 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, but the Ducks’ offense was hampered by early mistakes and a lack of rhythm.

Injuries, including the absence of key running back Jordan Davison, compounded their issues, and the team could not generate consistent production on the ground or through the air against Indiana’s stingy unit.

The Ducks’ late scores—a touchdown pass from Moore to Roger Saleapaga with seconds remaining—did little to alter the narrative of a thorough domination. This marked the most points ever scored against Oregon in a bowl game and one of the most lopsided CFP semifinal performances in the 12-team era.

Head coach Curt Cignetti, in just his second season at Indiana, has engineered one of the most stunning turnarounds in college football history. Before his arrival, the Hoosiers were known as the losingest program in major college football history, with no bowl win since 1991 and only sporadic winning seasons.

Cignetti, armed with aggressive recruiting through the transfer portal, meticulous coaching, and a culture of relentless preparation, has transformed Bloomington into a powerhouse.

This season’s run includes a Big Ten championship, a first-round bye as the top seed, a 38-3 demolition of Alabama in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal, and now this Peach Bowl rout.

Cignetti’s 26-2 record over two years speaks volumes, and his team has now posted two CFP victories by a combined margin of 69 points—the widest two-game stretch in playoff history.

The atmosphere in Mercedes-Benz Stadium felt like a Hoosier home game, with crimson-clad fans dominating the stands and creating an electric environment that fueled Indiana’s momentum. Players and coaches alike fed off the energy, and the blowout served as a validation of everything the program has built.

As one analyst noted, this Indiana squad is “too well-coached, too obsessed with perfection” to be denied.

Now, all eyes turn to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, where Indiana will face the Hurricanes in the national championship game.

Miami advanced with a dramatic 31-27 comeback victory over Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal, setting up a showdown that carries personal stakes for Mendoza, who will return to his hometown and face the program connected to his high school days.

Though it will be a “home” game for Miami, Indiana has proven they travel exceptionally well, and their dominance on neutral fields suggests they will not be intimidated.

A victory over Miami would make Indiana the first 16-0 national champion in the modern era and the first undefeated title winner since Michigan in 2023. It would cement this team’s legacy as not just a Cinderella story, but a truly elite program capable of rewriting history books.

Skeptics who once doubted Indiana’s place among the nation’s best have been silenced; the Hoosiers have shattered every expectation with sheer force and execution.

Can this be a truly perfect team? After the Peach Bowl masterclass, the evidence is overwhelming. Indiana stands on the threshold of greatness, one win away from immortality. The college football world watches in awe as the Hoosiers chase perfection and a championship that once seemed unimaginable.

The dream is alive—and it’s looking more real than ever.